Sr Controls Project Engineer

E.A. Sween - Deli Express - Eden Prairie, MN

Full-time - Senior

Eden Prairie, MN

About the position

The Senior Controls Project Engineer will lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced automated control systems in a food manufacturing environment. This role requires significant experience in managing control system projects, leading teams, and ensuring compliance with USDA and FDA regulations. The engineer will mentor maintenance automation/controls technicians, optimize control systems, and provide high-level technical guidance, with a focus on food safety compliance and sanitary electrical design principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of complex automated control systems for food processing equipment, ensuring compliance with USDA and FDA regulatory requirements.
• Manage small to large-scale control system projects from initial design to final commissioning, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Mentor a team of maintenance automation/controls technicians, providing technical guidance, project oversight, and professional development.
• Integrate control systems with manufacturing equipment, HVAC, refrigeration, robotics, sensors, and actuators to achieve seamless operation and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and optimize PLC programs using advanced techniques in ladder logic diagrams, structured text, function block diagrams, sequential function charts, and instruction lists.
• Oversee on-site installation, rigorous testing, and commissioning of control systems, ensuring adherence to food safety standards and system reliability.
• Ensure all control systems comply with USDA and FDA regulations, and sanitary design principles, particularly in high-risk food production environments.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to enhance system efficiency, reduce downtime, and improve compliance with SQF standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 8+ years of experience as a Controls Engineer, with significant exposure to food manufacturing environments and strict regulatory standards.
• Advanced proficiency in PLC programming languages: ladder logic diagrams, structured text, function block diagrams, sequential function charts, and instruction lists.
• Extensive experience with Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Mitsubishi, ABB, and Keyence PLC Controllers.
• Proven experience leading teams, managing projects, training and mentoring maintenance personnel.
• In-depth understanding of USDA and FDA regulations, particularly related to food safety and sanitary design.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex systems and drive innovation through process optimization.
• Strong communication skills to work with cross-functional teams and ensure compliance with food safety standards.

Nice-to-haves

• Familiarity with HVAC and refrigeration systems in food manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with SQF (Safe Quality Food) certification standards and industry-leading continuous improvement practices.
• Knowledge of advanced food manufacturing technologies, such as industrial IoT and predictive analytics.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Health insurance
• 401k plan
• Paid time off
• Professional development opportunities